3-D Visualization of Cell Membrane of Cucumber Fruits Stored at Different Temperature

Abstract

The 3-D visualization of cell membrane of cucumber fruits stored at 5°C (chilled) and 25°C (non chilled) for 9 days was demonstrated. The 3-D images were reconstructed from a series of 100 cross-sectional of 2-D images by utilizing 3-D visualization software. The size distribution of cell membrane was determined from the volume of cell for both storage conditions with time. The cell membrane of cucumber fruits during storage period was then observed through the change in volume of cell. The volume of cells was calculated from 70 to 125 of cells for each storage conditions. In day 1, the percentage of volume size of cell larger than 8 x 10-4 µm for both storage conditions of 5 and 25oC were 17.7 and 22.1% respectively. The percentage of larger volume size of cell decreased to be 1.6 and 9.7% for 5 and 25°C at storage time of 9 d. In contrast to this, the percentage of small volume size of cell increased with time from 21.5 and 23.5% at day 1 to be 56.0 and 42.4% at days 9 for 5 and 25°C. It was found that the percentage of larger size of cell for both storage conditions decreased and the percentage of small size of cell increased with time. Change in the percentage of volume size of cell with time was thought to be related with weight loss i.e. water loss. Higher percentage of small volume size of cell for fruits stored at low temperature might indicate the higher speed of damage in cell due to impact of chilling.